Adapter for use in an access passage for electrical wiring systems



Dec. 24 1963 J. K. STUESSEL ETAL ADAPTER FOR USE IN AN ACCESS PASSAGE FOR ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS Filed 001',- 3, 1962 INVENTORS .jO/l/V K. STUESSEL GLEN/V K. SEGE/ZL U/VD United States Patent Ot'fice 3,115,539 Fatented Dec. 24, 1963 ADAPTER FUR USE IN AN ACQESS PASSAGE FUR ELECTRICAL WHRING SYSTEMS John K. Stuessel and Glenn K. Segerlund, llayton, @hio, signors to Flexillor Electrical Systems, lino, Dayton,

(thin, a corporation of Giulio Filed Oct. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 228,197 4 Claims. (Cl. 174-48) This invention relates to accessories for electrical wiring systems and more particularly to a ceiling outlet adapter assembly. The invention is particularly adapted for use with hollow core precast concrete slabs but may be used with other types of ceiling construction. For convenience, however, the invention will be described in connection with a typical precast hollow concrete slab.

Long precast concrete slabs having passages therethrough for the full length of such slabs are well known and widely used. An example of such a slab is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,299,070. Such precast slabs are frequently used to provide a ceiling for the region below such slabs and a fioor or a subfioor for the region above such slabs. The slab passages can be used as conduits for wiring. In connection with such use of slabs, it is desirable to provide access passages laterally of slabs for wires going from a slab interior directly to the ceiling surface provided by a slab. This invention provides accessories for use with such slab access passages so that sale and acceptable modes of handling wiring are pro vided.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view with certain parts broken away and other parts in section illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of an assembled ceiling outlet adapter minus a hood, the adapter being shown installed in a precast concrete slab, only part of which is illustrated.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the adapter installed, as seen from the inside of the slab, and provided with a hood.

The ceiling outlet adapter includes upper casting, generally indicated by ill, and consisting of curved flanged base portion 11 from which depends upper casting sleeve 12. The entire casting may be made of any suitable rigid material, plastic or metal. Base 11 is curved as illustrated in FIGURE 2, so that when properly positioned within cylindrical passage 14- of precast slab l5, rounded edge 16 of base 11 will conform to the curvature of the slab passage. Base portion 11 of the upper casting may have a generally rectangular outline as viewed from the top, with rounded corners and has long sides 17 and 18 extending longitudinally of slab 15, this being the dimension perpendicular to the paper for FIGURE 2 and being parallel to long sides 17 and 18 in FIGURE 1.

The length of long sides 17 and 18 of base 11 is greater than the diameter of sleeve 12 of the casting, so that access passage 19 necessary in slab for accommodating sleeve 12 of the casting will be substantially shorter than long sides 17 and 18. Base ll has short sides 26 and 21 curved to conform to the slab passage curvature but will overlie the slab material bordering access passage 19 in the slab. Base 11 when positioned will be firmly supported in the slab against withdrawal. The transverse dimension of base 11 along short sides 2% and 21 is smaller than the diameter of access passage 19 through the slab wall so that the upper casting can be turned sideway and moved through access opening 19 from outside of the slab to the interior passage. Then the upper casting can be turned to the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 so that the base supports the casting.

Base ill of the upper casting is provided with two tapped apertures 24 and 25 adjacent short side Ztl. These tapped apertures will accommodate bolts 26 and 27 for holding hood plate in position over base ll. Hood plate 29 has hood carried by flat body 311. Hood plate 29 when positioned over base 11 will cover a part of opening 33 within upper sleeve 12. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the hood opening faces in the direction of the slab length so that wires extending along slab passage 14 can be directed into opening 33 of base ll.

Hood plate 29 may be omitted but when used must be assembled on base 11 prior to the positioning of upper casting iii in the slab. Accordingly, it is necessary to so dimension sleeve 12 with regard to the height (this being perpendicular to the plane defined by long sides 17 and 18) so that this sleeve height plus the height of hood 30 above base 31 is less than the diameter of access passage 19. This will permit the hood plate and upper casting it) to be assembled outside of a slab and then positioned in place within a slab as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. Upper casting sleeve 12 has a generally cylindrical opening therethrough and the sleeve body itself is provided with bosses $5 and 36 which extend laterally from the body along a diameter thereof. Bosses 35 and 3d are so oriented that they are along a diameter of the cylindrical passage which is parallel to long sides 17 and 13. Thus these bosses will be adjacent the overhanging portions of base ill and will not interfere with manipulating the upper casting into position within a slab. The long dimension of upper casting sleeve l2 extending between the outside surfaces of bosses 35 and 36 will be a bit shorter than the diameter of access passage 19 in the slab.

Bosses 35 and 3d have tapped recesses therein for receiving bolts and 39. These bolts are used to clamp lower casting lid to the upper casting. Lower casting has circular flanged base ll with bevel edge Flanged base all is provided with apertures 44 and to register with the tapped recesses in bosses 35 and 36 to permit bolts 38 and 39 to pass through. Washers 46 of fiber or other material are provided for bolts 33 and 39 after they have been threaded through apertures 44- and 45 to maintain these bolts against loss until installation.

Lower casting ill has cylindrical sleeve extending upwardly from flanged base 41 and dimensioned to telescope within sleeve 12 of upper casting l0 The inaximum diameter of flanged base portion ll is equal or somewhat larger than the diameter of access passage 39 in the slab. Preferably, the diameter of access package 19 is just a bit smaller than flanged base 41 so that the of the concrete can be beveled and permit bottom face of flanged base 411. to be flush with the bottom surface of slab 15. it is understood that the bottom surface of the slab is fiat, as well as flanged base 41. Flanged base at is provided with threaded aperture 52 within sleeve portion 48 of the lower casting. Threaded aperture can receive nipple of conventional construction and used widely in electrical work. Nipple 54 is externally threaded at 55 and has hex base 56 to permit tightening of the nipple by pliers, wrench, or even screw driver. As a rule, the ex sides may be notched to permit the use of a screw driver. As is customary with such nipples, the interior of the nipple is smooth and is rounded at the base so that any wires passing through the nipple will not be damaged or abraded by the nipple metal.

With the upper casting in position, as illustrated in FlGURE 1 for example, but resting upon the concrete, it is possible to assemble the lower casting by bolting the two together. The telescoping action of sleeve portion or" the lower casting within sleeve portion of upper casting lid permits the adapter to accommodate itself to various slab thicknesses. The nipple can be tightened into position before or after assembly of the two castings.

3 instead or" a nipple, it is possible to screw in the threaded end of a lighting fixture. In general, the entire adapter will have all the flexibility of conventional adapters insofar as accommodating wiring and lighting fixtures are concerned and, in addition thereto, will accommodate itself to various slabs.

in general, the new adapter has two members provided with telescoping sleeves with the far ends of the sleeves terminating in enlarged flanged bases. The member having the outer sleeve has its enlarged base curved to conform to the part of the cylindrical slab wall forming the longitudinal slab passage and the dimension of this curved base is substantially greater along the linear elements of the surface than along the curved elements of the surface transversely to the linear elements. If desired, a hood is provided for the curved base, with the hood facing in the long dimension or the base. The overall dimensions of the base and outer sleeve, with the hood when used, are such that the outer sleeve and its base, with or without an attached hood, can be moved along the line of the longest base dimension along the access passage in a concrete slab until the entire member is within the longitudinal passage of the slab, after which the member may be turned to dispose the sleeve in the access passage, with the curved base resting against the curved slab wall.

The member carrying the smaller sleeve which telescopes into the larger sleeve has its flanged base fiat and large enough to cover the end of the access package in the outer fiat surface of the slab. The two members are rigidly attached to each other by bolts external to the two sleeves. The flanged base of the smaller sleeve is designed to accommodate a nipple or any other accessory so that wires may run from Within the slab through the telescoping sleeves and through the flanged base for service. It is evident that the diameter of the access passage will be substantially smaller than the diameter of the longitudinal slab passage. It is also desirable to rave the short transverse dimension of the curved base no more than a bit larger than the corresponding outside dimension of the attached sleeve.

What is claimed is:

1. An adapter for use in an access passage of a concrete slab having a longitudinal passage substantially larger in diameter than the access passage, with the access passage branching oil at right angles to the longitudinal passage, said adapter comprising two members having telescoping sleeve portions, the sleeve portions having enlarged flanged bases at the remote ends thereof, one member having its base shaped to provide a short transverse dimension just a bit larger than the corresponding transverse dimension of the outer sleeve and said one member base having a long dimension perpendicular to said short dimension with the long dimension being substantially greater than any dimension or" either member, said one member base being curved to conform to the cylindrical wall bounding said slab longitudinal passageway, with said base being straight along the long dimension and being curved along the short dimension and being apertured to expose the sleeve passage, said other member having its flanged base circular and flat with the flanged portion thereof extending laterally from the sleeve portion, said last named fiat base having a diameter somewhat larger than the short transverse dimension of said one member curved base but substantially less than long dimension thereof, bolt means for coupling said rat base to portions or" said one member, said bolt means being external to said telescoping sleeves but extending ase providing a smooth passageway through said fiat ass for conductors extending from the curved base through the telescoped sleeves and through the flat base whereby said adapter can be secured in position and adapt itself to different slab thicknesses.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein a hood is provided over the curved base, said hood providing a curved cover for part of the aperture in said base giving access to the telescoped sleeves, said hood bulging away from the sleeve and facing along the length of a slab longitudinal passageway, said hood being so dimensioned that it can be attached to the curved base prior to positioning of the one member within the slab, said one member and hood being movable along an access passage, as previously set forth, for positioning in the slab.

3. The construction according to claim 2 wherein said curved base carries the outer telescoping sleeve.

4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein said curved base carries the outer sleeve of the telescoping sleeves and wherein the attaching means for holding the two members together include two bolts extending longitudinally of the sleeves but outside and on opposite sides thereof along the long dimension of the curved base, each bolt engaging a tapped recess in said one member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,945,705 Murray July 19, 1960 

1. AN ADAPTER FOR USE IN AN ACCESS PASSAGE OF A CONCRETE SLAB HAVING A LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER IN DIAMETER THAN THE ACCESS PASSAGE, WITH THE ACCESS PASSAGE BRANCHING OFF AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE, SAID ADAPTER COMPRISING TWO MEMBERS HAVING TELESCOPING SLEEVE PORTIONS, THE SLEEVE PORTIONS HAVING ENLARGED FLANGED BASES AT THE REMOTE ENDS THEREOF, ONE MEMBER HAVING ITS BASE SHAPED TO PROVIDE A SHORT TRANSVERSE DIMENSION JUST A BIT LARGER THAN THE CORRESPONDING TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF THE OUTER SLEEVE AND SAID ONE MEMBER BASE HAVING A LONG DIMENSION PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SHORT DIMENSION WITH THE LONG DIMENSION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN ANY DIMENSION OF EITHER MEMBER, SAID ONE MEMBER BASE BEING CURVED TO CONFORM TO THE CYLINDRICAL WALL BOUNDING SAID SLAB LONGITUDINAL PASSAGEWAY, WITH SAID BASE BEING STRAIGHT ALONG THE LONG DIMENSION AND BEING CURVED ALONG THE SHORT DIMENSION AND BEING APERTURED TO EXPOSE THE SLEEVE PASSAGE, SAID OTHER MEMBER HAVING ITS FLANGED BASE CIRCULAR AND FLAT WITH THE FLANGED PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE 